British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has apologized for leaving D-Day commemorations in France early to do a TV interview ahead of the U.K.’s July 4 election.
The prime minister attended a Thursday morning ceremony at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer alongside Britain’s King Charles III and his wife Camilla, as well as President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
However, Sunak skipped the main international ceremony at Omaha Beach later that day to fly back to the U.K. World leaders including Macron, Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were all present at the afternoon event, which marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“After the conclusion of the British event in Normandy, I returned back to the UK. On reflection, it was a mistake not to stay in France longer — and I apologise,” Sunak posted on X on Friday.
The 80th anniversary of D-Day has been a profound moment to honour the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our values, our freedom and our democracy.
This anniversary should be about those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The last thing…
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) June 7, 2024
“The last thing I want is for the commemorations to be overshadowed by politics,” he said.
Sunak faced enormous backlash for his decision, which his political opposition called “a total dereliction of duty.”
“In choosing to prioritize his own vanity TV appearances over our veterans, Rishi Sunak has shown what is most important,” Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow paymaster general, said.
“It is yet more desperation, yet more chaos and yet more dreadful judgment from this out-of-touch prime minister.”
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Recent opinion polls show Sunak’s Conservatives trailing the Labour Party by more than 20 points ahead of next month’s election.
Labour leader Keir Starmer attended the event and was pictured meeting Zelensky.